A low roar of wind swept past them, and a cascade of leaves fluttered down from the canopy. It was as if the forest itself was bidding them another solemn farewell, just as it had when Rian had first left Bebegig's home.
"This wind… it reminds me of Gramps's house," Rian murmured, a faint, nostalgic smile touching the corners of his lips.
They walked on, leaving the memory of the village behind them. Ahead, the shadows of another forest loomed, its entrance marked by towering, ancient trees that promised a deeper darkness within. Rian stepped forward without hesitation, his stride relaxed, with Catty faithfully by his side. Daniel and Fredd walked a few paces ahead, leading the way.
"Right now, I need to figure out his unique skill," Fredd thought, his gaze scanning the dense trees ahead. "Is it really that deadly kick? I'll kill him the moment he lets his guard down. He's so foolish, not an ounce of suspicion towards me. He has no idea how feared I was among my men. And that idiot Daniel… completely taken in by this boy's act." A cruel, knowing smirk played on his lips.
"Sir," Daniel said, turning back to Rian, his expression one of genuine curiosity. "Why aren't you carrying any supplies? Our destination is quite far; it will take several days to reach the kingdom of Fulakmi."
"Oh, I have my things with me," Rian replied cheerfully. "No need to worry. My unique skill is Unlimited Storage. It's very useful for journeys like this. It makes our travel lighter, so we can move more freely." He demonstrated by opening a small, dark portal in the air beside him.
Daniel's eyes widened. He had seen Rian use healing magic, and now he knew about the Storage skill. A conclusion formed in his mind, one based on incomplete information. He hadn't witnessed the fight between Rian and Fredd, only the aftermath.
"So that's it," Daniel mused, nodding to himself. "He's a support class. A healer with a convenient storage ability. That explains his kind nature." He glanced at Catty, her powerful form and the memory of her scythe severing his arm still fresh in his mind. "She must be his bodyguard, the real fighter of the pair."
"Storage, huh?" Fredd's internal monologue was laced with contempt. "So his kicks and speed are just his basic skills. Dangerous, yes, but manageable. His unique skill is completely useless in a fight. This is perfect. I just need to wait for the right moment, a moment when he's completely off guard, and then I'll kill him." A small, predatory smile touched his lips as he refined his wicked plan.
The forest grew darker, more menacing. The sky above turned a deep, bruised orange as the sun sank below the horizon, signaling the imminent arrival of night. Rian set about making camp. Catty helped him pitch the tent while Daniel, with a flick of his wrist and a whisper of magic, conjured a crackling campfire. Fredd gathered dry wood from the surrounding area.
"I can't tell Daniel my plan," Fredd thought, watching the young man work. "He's been completely brainwashed by that fool. As long as he or that cat-woman is awake and on guard, I can't make my move tonight. The cat-woman… she seems easy enough to handle, but I need a clean opportunity."
Night fell completely. The tents were up, the fire blazed, and Rian sat before it, with Catty, as always, by his side. She noticed Daniel staring up at the star-filled sky, lost in thought.
"Your name is Daniel, right?" Catty began, her voice soft. She bowed her head slightly. "I'm sorry for… for taking your arm. It was a desperate situation, to save the village. You were attacking us."
A sad smile touched Daniel's lips. "It's alright," he said, his gaze still fixed on the heavens. "I understand. If I were in your position, I probably would have done the same. I don't hold it against you anymore. In fact, I'm just grateful to have been given a second chance to live, to make things right."
"Still… I'm truly sorry," Catty insisted.
"Don't be," Daniel said, finally looking at her. "What's done is done. Dwelling on it won't change anything. It's okay, really."
"Okay. Thank you," Catty said, a relieved smile gracing her face.
The night deepened. Daniel and Catty took the first watch while Rian slept soundly in his tent. Fredd lay in his own, feigning sleep, his senses alert, waiting.
"Damn it, they're not letting their guard down," he cursed internally, his frustration mounting. "I have to find a way to create an opening."
"Catty," Daniel said after a while, "I need to go to the river to wash my face and relieve myself. I'll be right back."
"Alright," Catty replied. "I'll keep watch here."
Fredd's eyes snapped open in the darkness of his tent. He saw Daniel walk away, leaving Catty alone by the fire. "This is it. This is my chance." He slipped out of his tent, a dagger concealed in his hand, and began to approach Catty from behind. Just as he was about to strike, the flap to Rian's tent opened.
"Catty, where's Daniel?" Rian asked, stepping out at the exact same moment Fredd emerged from the shadows. "I'm done resting. It's your turn."
"Oh, good morning, Rian," Catty said, turning. "Daniel just went to the river to clean up."
"Damn it all! He woke up!" Fredd cursed in his mind. "Looks like tonight's not the night. But there will be other chances. I'm sure of it. A time when the fool is truly off guard." He forced a smile. "I'm done resting as well. Let's switch."
Several more nights passed in this tense, uneventful rhythm. Fredd never found the opening he was looking for. They were now halfway through their journey. Rian and Catty walked ahead, their conversation light and easy as they talked about the plants and animals around them.
Suddenly, Daniel clutched his stomach. "Sir, I need to relieve myself. You go on ahead, I'll catch up," he said, his legs already squeezed together as if he couldn't hold it any longer.
Rian nodded, and the group continued on. The path ahead narrowed, winding through a thicket of massive tree roots and dense bushes, forcing them into a single-file line. Fredd, as the guide, took the lead. Rian followed close behind, and Catty brought up the rear, just ahead of where Daniel would eventually rejoin them.
A moment later, a faint sound broke the quiet of the forest—a soft, wet whisper, like metal meeting bone. For a split second, it sounded like a twig snapping. Rian heard something like a puncture and turned around.
His world shattered.
His eyes widened in horror, his heart feeling as if it had been pierced as well. There, right before him, was a dagger buried to the hilt in Catty's back, its bloody tip protruding from her chest. A soft cough escaped her lips, followed by a spray of crimson blood.
The hand holding the dagger was Daniel's. He had used his one remaining arm to deliver the fatal blow. He threw his head back and let out a wild, triumphant laugh.
"HAHAHAHA! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, YOU BITCH?!" he shrieked, his face a mask of pure madness. "BECAUSE OF YOU, MY ARM IS GONE! MY LIFE IS RUINED BECAUSE OF YOU! DIE, YOU STUPID ANIMAL! AND YOU, Rian, YOU FOOL! WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW THAT YOUR BODYGUARD IS DEAD?! AND YOU, MY FORMER BOSS, YOU'RE EVEN MORE PATHETIC! YOU COULDN'T EVEN BEAT A MERE SUPPORT LIKE Rian!"
Catty stumbled forward, her strength failing. "Rian… run," she gasped, her voice a wet gurgle. "I just realized… there are troops… all around us… the fog… it blocked my sense of smell." She collapsed into Rian's arms as he caught her.
"That's right!" Daniel cackled. "These troops are wearing anti-mana masks and anti-scent scarves, and this convenient fog helps too. It's a perfect ambush!"
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, YOU IDIOT?!" Fredd roared, spinning around to face Daniel. As an Epic-tier, he knew the value of a well-thought-out plan. He knew Rian's power was not to be trifled with.
"YOU'RE the idiot!" Daniel spat back. "You couldn't even handle a support-class weakling! I'm ashamed I ever called you my boss!" He snapped his fingers.
From all directions, dozens of cloaked figures emerged from the fog, weapons drawn, ready to attack Rian and Fredd.
Rian held Catty close, his body trembling. Tears welled in his eyes and streamed down his cheeks, but not a single sound escaped his lips. He gently pulled the dagger from her back.
And then, something inside him broke. A thick, black aura, like smoke mixed with chaotic bolts of red lightning, began to seep from his entire body.